Pros and Cons of Homeschooling

[GwynnInTheHall]

My oldest, soon to be 14 and in 8th grade, is a straight A student, National Honor society and all around good kid. She's recently expressed interest in being home-schooled. I've no real experience with Homeschooling so have no frame of reference to made any kind of educated decision. My fears would be the lack of social contact and how potential colleges might perceive this choice to name a couple.

Does anyone here have any info about Homeschooling? Practical experience?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

[swampdragon]

My oldest, soon to be 14 and in 8th grade, is a straight A student, National Honor society and all around good kid. She's recently expressed interest in being home-schooled. I've no real experience with Homeschooling so have no frame of reference to made any kind of educated decision. My fears would be the lack of social contact and how potential colleges might perceive this choice to name a couple.

Does anyone here have any info about Homeschooling? Practical experience?

Any thoughts will be appreciated.

The social contact is huge. People will say to you that there are groups for home school kids but that is very different. In my middle school class almost all work is done with others - the kids don't like it at first but they eventually learn how to maneuver with others.

Also - who is going to teach her and are they qualified - really?

Lastly - Why does she want this? I teach 8th grade and would be concerned of something causing this.

If there is something wrong with her public school - look into private schools

[GwynnInTheHall]

The social contact is huge. People will say to you that there are groups for home school kids but that is very different. In my middle school class almost all work is done with others - the kids don't like it at first but they eventually learn how to maneuver with others.

Also - who is going to teach her and are they qualified - really?

Lastly - Why does she want this? I teach 8th grade and would be concerned of something causing this.

If there is something wrong with her public school - look into private schools

She's not a very social kid--she's a very strong personality, usually the best in any class she's in. Reads all the time at home and because we moved her in kindergarten, started a year later so is a year older than all her classmates. An amazing kid actually who's expressed interest in becoming a doctor or possible someone who studies and works with marine mammals. Recently she has been on this, I want to be in movies kick (though she never really was that interested in performing when I ran the Theatre). But I don't think it's that-- she's brought homeschooling up for a few years now.

[The Dane]

She's not a very social kid--she's a very strong personality, usually the best in any class she's in. Reads all the time at home and because we moved her in kindergarten, started a year later so is a year older than all her classmates. An amazing kid actually who's expressed interest in becoming a doctor or possible someone who studies and works with marine mammals. Recently she has been on this, I want to be in movies kick (though she never really was that interested in performing when I ran the Theatre). But I don't think it's that-- she's brought homeschooling up for a few years now.

Most of what I see of home-schooled kids are extremes. Either they are the most impressive, talented and poised young adults I've seen or they are anti-social reject weirdos with bizarre peaks and valleys in their knowledge. Count my nieces and nephews in the latter group. It depends so much on the kid and the environment in which she is going to learn.

Keep in mind, I am saying this as a career teacher who loves his job: a home-schooled kid in the right situation is WAY better off than a kid in any school, even the best schools. But, getting them in the right situation is tricky.

Now, I don't know much about your specific situation or the individual needs of your kid, but it seems to me that if she isn't very social but has strong academic skills then you have this decision to make: Do you want to focus on her strengths and make them elite-level, even if she is missing important elements in her development, hoping they just kind of work themselves out as she gets older (which often happens)? Or do you want to help her conquer her weaknesses and make her a more well-rounded student/person as she develops into adulthood? Only you can answer this.

[johnnya24]

The "social" elements of school are over-rated if you kid is having a really bad time at school ... and remember that it's only a couple of years given that she is already 14 ... it's not like she has never experienced "school". As long as she has friends / interactions outside of school, and isn't allowed to become reclusive, it shouldn't matter.

Your kid seems studious and hard-working ... so I don't imagine that it will affect her education. Might very well improve her if she is serious. I don't know how it will impact her Uni applications ... probably not much if she does plenty of extracurricular activities outside of school (volunteering etc). I'd take some professional advice here. I'm sure Uni's are well aware that a good home-schooled kid is probably a better academic candidate than a typical state school educated kid.

The bigger question when I first read your post was "why" she wants to be home schooled.

[chancellor]

GITH - We did not homeschool our kids, but had a number of friends who did. To answer your questions:

- Entrance into colleges is far less of an issue than it was just ten years ago. Her test scores and extracurriculars are far more critical, and if she's an elite student applying to an elite university, her entry essay will also be vital. If she does well at those, not only can she get in, she can get a scholoarship. Our closest friend who homeschooled has two boys, both at Wisconsin. One is on half scholarship and is engaged in cutting edge stem cell work, the second is on full scholarship in music performance.
- Even if you homeschool, if your daughter wants to participate in extracurriculars like sports, she should be free to do so.
- If you're concerned about social interaction, look into what the local homeschoolers in your area are doing for things like field trips and the like.

The tougher issue here, IMO, isn't her - it's you. Are you willing to take the time and effort to organize her home schooling work, get up to date on state requirements, and update some of your knowledge to help her with some of her more complex work. From what I've seen, this is where most failures occur in homeschooling - it's parents who don't understand how much work and effort this really requires than students who can't cut it. If you're willing to put in the work and effort, you'll likely see results that will blow your mind in a positive way.

[bryanbutler]

i agree with what's been said here. homeschooling certainly can work, but it's no walk-in-the-park. we have some very good friends who are homeschooling their kids, who are about the same age as our kids. they're networked in with a bunch of other homeschoolers in our area, and do lots of things together with them. and they make sure that their kids are involved in things like boy scouts, 4A, etc., to get the social part of it. but it's like a full-time job for the mother (who does most of the schooling). and, as chance said, be sure to come up to speed on what the state requirements are for homeschooling.

now, if your daughter is interested in this new "noschooling" (also called "unschooling") trend - i'd say i have a big problem with that. this is the theory that there is no structure to the day - that the kid(s) get to define what they do. it's being pushed by folks like mayim bialik (of "Blossom" fame). i think that also _can_ work, but only in extreme cases, and in general would not recommend it.

[Pogues]

I have yet to meet anyone who was home schooled that I would consider it was a positive for them. You, as a parent, would need to take the responsibility for their direct education. Will you teach them yourself (or your wife)? Do you feel you are strong enough in the subjects to teach/grade their work in all subjects? If not, will you hire someone to be the teacher? Do you have the funds available to pay for materials (and wages if you hire someone) that will be required? Will you be sure you daughter is still involved in interactions with others her approximate age?

If you think she can do the majority of teaching/instruction herself by allowing her to work at her own pace, I suggest that is the largest mistake you can make. I know triplets that were "home-schooled"...which meant their mother bought the necessary materials and they did all the work themselves...and then graded themselves!! I've heard if you home school you can somehow get tied in with the local public school and your daughter can earn a diploma from that school...which I feel is a far better (and more appealing) option than getting a GED. Those three have GEDs and honestly I can't believe with their knowledge level they would have ever earned a HS Diploma.

If I had a vote, I'd say HELL NO to homeschooling in every case, unless the parent/instructor is qualified in a good majority of the school subjects. And that's awfully rare.

[Judge Jude]

no kids, no teaching experience.
I got nuthin.

Just want to wish you and your daughter the best...